Vive la différence celebrated at Multicultural Festival

Thousands showed up to eat authentic international cuisine, browse through ethnically diverse crafts and experience musical and dance performances at the Multicultural Festival.

BY SHARON MYERSThe Dispatch

Thousands of people showed up to eat authentic international cuisine, browse through ethnically diverse crafts and experience traditional musical and dance performances during the annual Multicultural Festival in Lexington on Saturday. The day-long festival is in its 18th year and has become a day of celebrating the diverse population of Davidson County. Festival organizers estimated approximately 8,000 to 10,000 people would attend throughout the day.Ron Small of Greensboro said he came to the festival because he enjoyed witnessing all the nations represented. “It is great to see all the different exhibits and performances,” Small said. “Our son was born in South America, and we wanted to show him all the different countries represented out here. It is a great experience for us all; it's a great event.”Bruce Davis, director of the Lexington Parks and Recreation Department, said the event was started to strengthen the community and to educate residents and visitors about different cultures from around the world. Davis was on hand to open the festival, followed by comments from Lexington Mayor Newell Clark and concluded by the parade of nations. Clark welcomed everyone to the event, thanked the organizers and volunteers who made the festival possible and reminded everyone that they are all one nation, one city, one family.“This is an exciting day,” Clark said. “We have multiple cultures in Lexington that we are celebrating. That is what makes us the eclectic community we are. We are all one big family. When we all come together on a day like today, we celebrate all the cultures across our city.”The highlight of the festival was the five international villages — African-American, Asian, European, Latino and Native American. Each of these villages had various displays of artwork, arts and crafts, clothing, dance and musical performances. Marco Magana, coordinator of the Latin American booth, said he thinks the festival is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about other countries and cultures. “Many people develop certain ideas about different cultures, but they only scratch the surface,” Magana said. “This gives them more of a foundation. For example, many people are unaware of the great architectural designs that can be found in Brazil, Mexico and other Latin countries. There is a lot of information here for people to see and learn.”Throughout the day, several different performances took place at the International Stage featuring dancing, presentations and singing performances. There were also acts to be found on the smaller stages at each village including a circus act, dance troupes and musical performances. The Purina Dog Show made its spirited debut at the festival with a group of rescue animals who performed daring aerial feats.Although many people were interested in the displays and performances, others came for the food. Stephanie Buie, whose husband was enjoying a chicken taco and a churro, said they brought their young daughter, Emmalee, so she could experience the variety of cultures to be found in Davidson County. “We wanted her to see what else is out there,” Buie said. “We have been having a blast all day. I think this is a wonderful idea.”There was plenty of fun to be had, especially for the children at an area of rides and inflatables that were free of charge. The Teen Scene area had a variety of cultural entertainment, a photo booth and games, including jousting. At another tent, there was a display of the Butterfly Arts Initiative awards from the three school systems. The program started four years ago to allow students to express what multicultural and diversity means to them by decorating wooden butterflies.For most people who attended the Multicultural Festival, it was a day to celebrate differences as well as to come together as one community. Christine Peebles of Lexington said she tries to attend the festival every year, although this year she came specifically to see her granddaughter perform.“I enjoy coming because it gives us a chance to mingle with other people and see other cultures,” Peebles said. “I think it's a great idea to have a festival like this. I like all of it, the food, the music and the dancing. It's a wonderful day.”

Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow Sharon on Twitter: @LexDisptachSM